How It Is

2- Continuation: Leaving

When I saw the couple in the room, I felt different emotions banging in my chest. I felt happy, sad, afraid, overwhelmed... but most of all, I felt hope.

...

I shuddered inside as I saw the woman. She gave me the futon when I was a baby. That memory was so vague but still, I know she is the one.

After all these years of waiting like forever... it finally came.

"Hi, dear." she said and smiled at me.
Her husband seemed like he wasn't interested even one bit.

"Alright now, child. Sit in the waiting room outside first, we'll fix the papers." The Mother said softly. I didn't understand what papers since I thought adoption was just picking a child and taking them home.

I sat there while the party of 18 years of working was still being held. I felt the vibrations of the music, imagined how happy they were. I know they never treated me right nor normal but I will miss the times that the maidens have been here by my side.

I looked through the window of the door of Mother's office and I saw the couple talking about something. They were arguing; pointing fingers at each other while Mother was in front of them. It felt like I was the cause. I turned my head away and stared at my feet. I was holding back tears. I didn't know what was going on inside but I had a feeling that they don't want me anymore. I'd have to go through forever again.

As I was holding back tears, the husband, Ivan, came out with anger and I was shocked. He drove off and left his wife. He didn't shut the door of the office and I could clearly see Rita crying while Mother comforts her. I started to think...

Is it all my fault?

After Mother comforts Rita, she asked me to come in her office slowly gesturing her hand for me to come in. I was shaking and losing hope. I didn't know what to do.

"Child—The Persimmons will legally and officially adopt you." Mother said with bright eyes.

My mouth opened to let out a sigh of relief and tears ran down on my cheeks as I silently cry. I was on the floor.

Mother has always been so kind to make sure that the children in her household has gone to the right families. There is one thing I would like to know about Mother that I did not know, so I shooted my shot.

"Mother, what is your name?"

She looked surprised as ever and smiled softly with her eyes sparkling from its tears.

"Why, child... you are the first to ask that in all my years of being Mother this, Mother that. Truth is... I don't have a real name. I was an orphan just like how you were. I wandered down streets being asked for information about myself and couldn't say a word. I was an orphan here too and the one who took care of us was called Mother. I wanted to be like her and help poor children not knowing what to do or where to go. She took me in when I was a child and called me sweet pea. I thought she used sweet as an adjective for me and named me Pea, so I told everyone I have met that my name is Pea. And yes, you can call me Mother Pea."

She started to tear up. I never thought she would be such an emotional person.

"Mother Pea... what happened to your Mother?" I asked.

"Well, when I was a teen... I was still here waiting to be adopted. Mother was ill. We did everything we can to help her but she was fragile and broke like a vase dropped." A tear passes her cheek.

I looked at her with sad eyes feeling guilt for asking.

"Don't you worry, child. I will meet my Mother again in paradise, after the reign of Satan ends." As she said those words seemed to have cheered her up.

I didn't know what she meant.

We said our goodbyes and my new mom, Rita, was the happiest she has ever been in years. Me and mom walked home since father, Ivan, drove the car back home. Mom said not to worry since he has always been like that. Their house is just 2 streets away so it's easy for her to walk it there. It was almost midnight since they picked me up at 9 pm and Mother was too generous to let them in while it's not working hours.

Me and mom started a conversation to get to know each other.

[convo]

Mom: So, dear. What's your name? I just want to make sure they gave me the right files for the child. (chuckled)

Reed: My name is Reed! I don't know my last name though.

Mom: Oh, that's okay, hun!

Mom: I heard you weren't quite picked since you are Filipino.

Reed: Why do you ask? Do you not like me anymore if I am Filipino?

Mom: It's not like that, dear! It's just... I am half Filipino and Australian. 

Reed: But where is your accent? If you are Australian.

Mom: Well, I lived here quite a while now and picked up the American talking.

Reed: Why did you pick me? Don't you want to have your biological children?

Mom: ... Well, I can't reproduce my own babies. It's a little bit hard for me to remember that.

Reed: Oh... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked.

Mom: Well, that's okay, Reed. Don't worry because now, I have one to call my own.

[end of convo]

We talked the night away though I was sleepy. When we were two houses away, she said that she could carry me, so I said okay.

She smelled like hazelnut and cream. She was so warm and her hands are so soft when she carried me.

I fell asleep and the only thing I remembered when we've reached home is yelling. Mom was still carrying me at that time. Ivan and mom are fighting about something. Something that seemed so important. It was me.

Last words that he said that I can make up in my mind is-

"She's yours, I'm leaving."

Looks like he just went back home to get his stuff...

Mom was crying. I mean, of course she is. I was to tired to know what really happened... and actually I passed out again.

She brought me to their room so I could sleep. I can see her drinking since their room was close to the kitchen. I felt so guilty that they have to go all through that just because of me.

Mom came into the room, but is not drunk.

"I'm sorry, Reed. I am so sorry. I know we can do this together! Okay?"

My eyes were watering and couldn't say anything. Before I can let a word out my mouth, she said-

"Losing him is not easy, but it was all worth it since I have you now."

We cuddled to sleep.

"... I love you mom."